Parent/Child Bonding: Songs to Sing to Baby

Most adults shy away from singing out loud. They’re afraid of looking silly or they aren’t comfortable with their singing voice. Listen, Momma, you are missing out on a fantastic opportunity to bond with your baby if you’re skipping over singing.

In fact, researchers at the University of Montreal found that infants “relaxed for twice as long when listening to a song…as they did when listening to speech.” (1) So don’t talk, Momma, sing!

If you want to try singing to your baby but aren’t sure which songs are appropriate, or “best,” for Baby we have news for you. Simple songs that are easy to sing and easy for Baby to follow are also easy to find! Below is our guide to some sweet songs to sing to your Baby.

When and Where to Sing to Your Baby

There really isn’t a “proper” place or time to sing to your little one. In fact, if your baby is fussing at the mall, you may just find yourself singing a little “Itsy Bitsy Spider” in the mall food court. This should feel as natural as playing with your baby or dressing her. Your voice is soothing and a source of comfort for your baby so sing away – anytime, anywhere!

“There’s emerging evidence that music may play in important role in an infant’s development. Some even hypothesize that singing to your infant is your child’s first language lesson and can prevent language problems later in life.” // Psychology Today (2)

Types of Songs to Sing to Baby

It is important to not get too caught up in “What do I sing?” or “I don’t know any songs for babies!”

Types of Songs to Sing to Baby

It is important to not get too caught up in “What do I sing?” or “I don’t know any songs for babies!”

Your soothing, rhythmic voice is all baby needs to hear.

Your baby can hear your voice even before she is born, approximately around the seventh month of pregnancy, so by the time she arrives she is very familiar with your voice.

In a world of mystery and unknown, your voice is a huge source of comfort and will easily draw in your wee one’s attention.

Modern Songs

Although some songs won’t be appropriate due to lyrical content, most modern songs work just as well as nursery rhymes or lullabies to soothe, comfort and entertain your baby. Babies often respond well to songs with repetitive beats or rhythms. Their intelligent brains recognize patterns like rhythm from day one, so logically they love songs they can “predict.”

Babies also love to watch you perform, which is much easier with modern songs since you may be more comfortable putting on a character or a silly voice. You could try songs such as:

“Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

“Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars

“You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt

“Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift

“This is What You Came for” by Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna

“Dancing Queen” by ABBA

Lullabies for Babies

Traditionally, parents have used lullabies as a way of soothing their babies to sleep or calming them after a period of activity.

Lullabies can be completely made up and original or they can be common, well-known songs that have been sung for generations.

The point of the lullaby is to help your baby to feel safe, secure, and loved. As a result, they feel calmer and find it easier to drift off into a peaceful sleep. You could incorporate lullabies into your daily routine with Baby for all sleep times or just bedtime. It is completely up to you. Not all lullabies feature lyrics about bedtime. If you want, you can just save the bedtime lyrics especially for nighttime.

Lullaby Songs

If you are looking for tried and true lullaby songs there are many to choose from. You can even print out the lyrics if you aren’t sure of the words. Most lullaby songs are simple, short, and meant to be sung in a soft, slow tone. Some great choices include:

You Are my Sunshine

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Rock-a-bye Baby

Brahms Lullaby

Baby Mine

Bedtime Songs Before Bed

Lullabies are one type of bedtime songs to sing to Baby. However, there are other types of songs which would also be appropriate before bed.

You obviously want bedtime to be a quiet, peaceful time so Baby can settle down and fall asleep quickly and easily. You may also consider having a small stereo in your nursery to play bedtime music for a set length of time at bedtime.

Baby will love the calming music while they sleep and it sets the tone for bedtime. It could signal to your little one that it is time to sleep, making your bedtime routine that much easier. In addition to the songs listed under lullabies, some other wonderful bedtime songs to sing to Baby include:

Hush Little Baby

“Blackbird” by the Beatles

Silent Night

“The Rose” by Bette Midler

“All Through the Night” by Cyndi Lauper

Frere Jacques (Are You Sleeping?)

Amazing Grace

Nursery Songs

Singing to your baby doesn’t have to be limited to soothing, comforting, or easing them sleep. Singing can also be a way to play and have fun, as well as develop language.

In fact, some psychological professionals feel that too much emphasis is placed on reading and writing and not enough on the value of singing.

Nursery songs are a great way to laugh, interact and role play with your little one. There are also many parent/baby groups in the community where music and singing is the focus and sometimes there are even instruments included in the fun!

Classic Nursery Songs to Sing to Baby

Traditional choices for nursery songs or nursery rhymes you may want to sing to your baby have been passed along for decades. They usually include rhyming words, repetitive beats or subjects which are interesting to babies or toddlers. If you are unsure of the words, you can easily find them online and learn them quickly. Some great choices include:

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

London Bridge

Old McDonald Had a Farm

ABC song

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Modern Nursery Songs

There are many modern day nursery songs to choose from, including those introduced by television shows, pop culture figures and even famous musical artists. Despite the more modern style and lyrics, these songs still serve the same purpose of engaging your baby, giving you a way to interact with Baby and exposing him or her to a diverse range of musical genres. You may want to consider some of these modern nursery songs to sing to baby:

“Skinamarink” by Sharon, Lois and Bram

“Apples and Bananas” by The Wiggles

Kumbaya

The Wheels on the Bus

Five Green and Speckled Frogs

Five Little Monkeys

Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Honestly, whatever you choose as songs to sing to Baby she will love them all because she loves your voice…and she loves you!

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